I spent a whopping huge chunk of the household, grocery, and health and beauty budget last night, but I think we are good and stocked for the rest of the month. It was a s bad as I thought-why I wasn't eager to shop. Supposedly though last night was the warmest for the week, and since today is still -7F, I think it was better. It was a lot of trips into the house since I had dog food, and water, and a huge bag of potatoes. Good thing I'm trying to get stronger. With that whine out of the way, here's my thrifty recap.
Time
- We had fun playing our family Super Bowl betting game, though no one bet as only mom was coming up with the winnings.
- Book club was already mentioned this week, but such a good use of time.
- The high school talent show went on-mostly through Facebook events, but it was fun seeing some faces I know.
- Finally scrubbed my kitchen floor to the corners and with moving things out as opposed to the quick sweep and mop I usually do. It was not necessarily fun but a good use of time as I love fresh cleaned floor.
- I watched several chick flick movies-not rom com, but ones that actually had a few actresses more my age or older. Mixed reviews and will recap tomorrow.
Resources
- I believe it was a no waste food week.
- I put tea bags from my desk drawer in my bag to take home. They likely will not be top quality by the time I am back regularly.
- Used two overly ripe bananas and flax seed for eggs for inexpensive vegan brownies. I froze 1/3rd-no more calories form them for a while!
- Had good luck with questionable old yeast to make homemade bread.
Money
- Pups dog food had a $5.00 coupon on the 16 pound bag. that was a nice unexpected win.
- I went ahead and filled my tank on route to the office- with a 7 cents off coupon.
- there were no decent meat specials, so I am making due with just low cost chicken breasts, and what is in my freezer. We may get sick of chicken by the end of the month, but the cook book my son gave me had a lot of chicken recipes.
- Not mine, but my daughters. She got her statement for a 401K she had when she worked about 9 months temporary at my old employer. She actually had 6X the value that she thought, so a nice "no thought" nest egg for her future.
Not a big thrift week, but a few good wins in there. We had no take out this week-even for the Super Bowl weekend, and I used a couple freezer leftovers for lunches. I decided not to get take out sandwiches today, and instead, since I will be staying longer, through frozen soup and a chicken slider in my bag. It's that making due and enjoying what you already have motto that I'm trying to live to. How did you maximize your time, money, and resources this week?
Whenever I'm lugging things up and downstairs from my basement I tell myself that it's just like going to the gym, only free. Same for dragging groceries in from the car. It doesn't always work but it usually makes me less resentful!
ReplyDeleteIt was the cold-the car never did warm up, and the trunk froze shut so it was quite a fete to get my groceries out. Plus-I hate grocery shopping in general.
DeleteBeautiful afternoon here- 73 and sunshine. We do get winter but not a lot of temperatures under 35. I did 2 good deeds today and found folks a Covid vaccine appointment. I'm on my phone a lot and get texts from the health department- one said Covid vaccine appointments available so I quickly called my acquaintances and they both got appointments. Pantry is looking lean but I'm still not grocery shopping- it's been December 24th since I left the house except for my vaccine. I still have canned tuna, salmon and lots of cheese (oh yes Girl Scout cookies- GD who is just 6 was selling digitally so I ordered 12 boxes for here and 12 for the troops) so I'm good for another couple of weeks plus I'm going to forget calories and make something really decadent for Valentine's day. GS cookies don't tempt me...much LOL.
ReplyDeleteOh, 73! what a memory, but again, I could not enjoy your humidity on the summer. I'm glad to hear of people getting the vaccine. Every day a step closer. I'm going to make a nice dinner Sunday and cupcakes tomorrow-to give away!
DeleteSounds like a good week! We did birthday takeout on Saturday (still have a bit left), & then just eating our subscription meals on the other nights. Both subscriptions only serve 2,so it works well to rotate through other freezer items. We're trying a Blue Apron recipe for the first time tonight. And, by "we", I mean Nick is cooking, as I have a meeting until 5 & then we need to quickly eat to get the kids to soccer.
ReplyDeleteWe have another birthday next week, but everything is planned for & budgeted. It will be lunch out a few times (ski week, kids are out of school & we're normally skiing). Despite the meals out, it will still be much cheaper than our original plans of going to Whistler. That said, we are missing it for sure!
I also sold a few things on eBay this week, took advantage of some iBotta deals, & used the last of my Rite Aid rewards.
Wow-your take out must have been a big order to have teen boys and still more. My hoover son at that age would have wiped the leftovers out in short order. I think I'll try the subscription boxes when my daughter r is home. Let me know your favorite after Nick does Blue Apron. I've seen a few unsponsored critiques of Hello Fresh that were less than glowing.
DeleteBecause of pain and laziness last night, I had to make do with things frozen for dinners. I did not ask to go pick up anything to eat. As long as it rains, we are in the house for good for a few days. Tommy was lead into small economies today.
ReplyDeletethat's what those freezer stocks are good for. Stay dry.
DeleteGreat job Sam! It was a good productive week here. Zero food waste. When I went grocery shopping yesterday thin pork chops were BOGO, I got 2 packs with twelve in each for $7. Can't beat that to add to my freezer stock.
ReplyDeletePork chops seemed a it high, so ended up with lots of chicken, but will get creative. Zero food waste makes me happy.
DeleteSounds like another good week, Sam. We did get a pizza takeout from a locally owned Italian shop, but other than that one splurge, we ate all of our meals at home. The pizza was worth it though.
ReplyDeletei think next week we may have a pizza splurge. There is a bar and grill in one of the little rural hamlets near us that make a supreme pizza that is literally a feast and DH will get multiple meals, plus we'll freeze some lunch portions. They are still only at 50% capacity so take out works great for us and them.
DeleteGood on no waste that is always positive. You had better stock up it is so cold there.
ReplyDeleteThe freezer and fridge are bursting, and pantry is more replaced.
DeleteI think I did pretty good this week with my rebate apps, great sales and a few freebies. I treated the kids to half price milkshakes, made an aldi’s take and bake pizza instead of ordering one, though we did support local and bought wings for the super bowl. Hubby won $40! I pulled everything out of my kitchen cupboards and ruthlessly purged. Hoping to tackle a few more spaces this weekend. I went with my husband to the Habitat for Humanity store which has a combo of reclaimed items from houses and odds and ends housewares, tools, furniture, etc. We found peel and stick tile sheets marked $2, but ended up only being $1! We bought all 6 and used them for a backsplash in the kitchen with a few leftover. I’m still so excited about them. I think they look great. JoAnn
ReplyDeleteWe really like the Aldi fresh take and bake-it's so much food for $4.99 -$5.99. I'm looking to do something like that in my kitchen as well. I believe we have a HH store on route to the lake-well one of the routes.
DeleteCongrats on a no waste week. I love that you are counting time. We can never manufacture more of it.
ReplyDeleteIf life was all about money, it would be a very poor quality of life wouldn't it?
DeleteThe older I get, time is the thing I am most protective of. It just goes by so quickly.
ReplyDeleteSo true-This week went fast it seemed, and interesting since it was so cold.
DeleteI am always trying to 'maximize' my time/money etc.
ReplyDeleteSometimes I succeed.